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Lonsdale Shawn}’s portrait

Lonsdale Shawn

  • 38 years old
  • Male
  • Born Dec 30, 1969
  • Died Feb 16, 2008
  • United States
This page is created to pay our tributes to Shawn Lonsdale. Please feel free to share any photos or memories of Shawn. May he R.I.P.
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Lonsdale

Shawn Lonsdale, a vocal Scientology critic who both directed his own anti-church documentary and appeared in a BBC Panorama documentary titled Scientology And Me, was found dead in his home over the weekend in an apparent suicide, according to the St. Petersburg Times.

While authorities do not suspect foul play, the same cannot be said of the Internet message board posters who are alleging that church members harassed Lonsdale into committing suicide—if they didn't actually directly off the guy and make it look like a suicide. "This is a little TOO suspicious. Coincides with our attacks?" writes one Anonymous poster, noting the proximity of Lonsdale's death to the recent spate of public anti-Scientology protests. Over at the Times' website, accusations are more direct: "An apparent suicide? Maybe it was staged to look like a suicide. Has anyone noticed how many Off-Duty Officers work for Scientology! These will be the same officers investigating this Suicide???? An investigation with Impartiality? Justice Denied?"


Lonsdale's history with the church is curious. Unlike most anti-Scientology crusaders, he was never actually a member, and had no direct involvement in the church's operations. After a documentary he cobbled together with footage of Scientology buildings, church staffers, and verbal confrontations with Scientologists was aired on local cable TV in 2006, a private investigator hired by the church revealed that Lonsdale had two misdemeanor convictions related to public sex with men on his record. Another poster on the Times' website claims that the church plastered the downtown Clearwater area with posters of Lonsdale's face and social security number.



http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/02/antiscientology-activist-found-dead-in-home.php


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Memories

Vila I Frid Shawn

Jarl Menace Jul 02, 2012

Sweden will carry your torch!

What goes around . . .

BLiP May 09, 2010

I was thinking of you today, Shawn. John Sweeny is back in the States doing a follow up to his documentary that you starred in . . . only this time two of former head $cilons that harassed you are now on the outside helping gather information needed to bring the cult down.

You are remembered with love. RIP, bro.

Got me interested in Scientology

Ant Mar 20, 2010

I just remembered seeing him on the BBC Panorama program and thinking he has balls of steel.
The end of Scientology looms nearer, As long as we all keep it up and share the word.

Rest in piece.

A Brave And Gentle Man

M Jan 17, 2010

I only "knew" Shawn online, but he was my friend.

The courage he showed in his one-man campaign inspired me to action as I watched it happen, and it still inspires me. The cult of $cientology attacked and viciously tried to ruin the life of a man who was just telling the truth.

Always remember Shawn Lonsdale.

Finish his fight.

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Tribute Creator

Edward Dawson

    United States